GENERAL HOSPITAL: Levi Dunkleman Revealed To Be Peter Harrell!

On yesterday’s General Hospital, more clues were revealed as to the true identify of “Levi Dunkleman”. As Scribner is being tended to at General Hospital after being shot, Anna (Finola Hughes) questions him if he knows where Levi (Zachary Garred) took Maxie (Kirsten Storms) and Lulu (Emme Rylan). Standing with Anna are Nathan (Ryan Paevey), Mac (John J. York), and Felicia (Kristina Wagner)!

Scribner then reveals that Levi’s real name is Peter Harrell, not “Levi Dunkleman”! When the name “Peter Harrell” is uttered, Felicia looks shocked. She then reveals to the room that Peter Harrell was her ex-fiancee! But it would seem that “Levi” must be Peter Harrell Jr.!

The original Peter Harrell was played by Judson Scott from 1984-1985 on GH, who in story was trying to get Felicia for himself against his adversary Frisco (Jack Wagner), because he ultimately was interested in getting his hands on Felicia’s precious Aztec treasure. Later, when Frisco and Felicia went on the run, Harrell was arrested and later presumed dead, but the body was never found.

So, will Levi turn out to truly be Peter Harrell Jr.? What do you think of the latest plot twist? Weigh-in!

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I’d rather have JW back as Frisco. An Aztec story without Frisco is just wrong.

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August 28, 2014 9:08 am

Michael

Maybe he will come back since they keep secrets very tight lipped in this regime, which they should.

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August 28, 2014 3:44 pm

ces

I totally agree!

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August 28, 2014 4:48 pm

Lucy D.

I think it was a real twist. Connected to Fluke? Keeps me interested in the story for sure

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August 28, 2014 9:11 am

KansasGuest

The Aztec treasure story was long before Sonny. So, Fluke’s connection to it, and his personal vendetta against Sonny, wouldn’t come from Felicia’s jewelry.

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August 28, 2014 3:28 pm

Renee

I am very excited about this plot twist! Anything that invokes Frisco, Felicia and treasure is A+ in my book! Bring back Jack! Put Kristina in the forefront!!

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August 28, 2014 9:15 am

Jimmy

When Felicia said “he was my fiance” I was thinking huh?! Levi is wayyy too young to be her ex-fiance! There’s no way that’s possible! But, being Peter Harrell’s son, this was a great reveal!

I love that the twists keep coming! When it was revealed that Levi would be somebody’s son, I thought he and whoever Fluke really is would be related, but it doesn’t look that way now. This is a great use of history and it works with the story. But now, the question is, is Peter Harrell Sr. still alive, and working with his son? My theory is that Peter is holding Frisco captive and that’s why he’s unreachable.

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August 28, 2014 9:31 am

clh

I think Fluke is SR. Never found his body.

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August 28, 2014 10:36 am

Timmm

SR. has no beef with Sonny.

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August 28, 2014 12:00 pm

Iakovos

I appreciate the attention to history but even I had forgotten this tidbit. Seems lately the game in the writing room is to find a link to the past even if the story lines are not so great.

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August 28, 2014 9:33 am

KM

I agree. The character of Peter was only a brief blip on the radar screen 30 years ago. Not a favorite story of mine at the time and I don’t really care about him or the rather shaky connection to Levi now.

I wonder if this makes any sense to anyone who hasn’t been watching since dirt.

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August 28, 2014 11:01 am

Daisy

It doesn’t!

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August 29, 2014 2:53 am

Timmm

Too far of a reach BUT if it brings Jack Wagner back and they give him a good story with maybe a little retro “On Location” shoot, go for it!

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August 28, 2014 12:04 pm

Shay

Absolutely, Timmm! Frisco must be brought back to repair the damage inflicted by the dreadful hatchet job that impugned his character during last year’s disgusting storyline.

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August 29, 2014 2:47 am

Omar

Thank you Iakovos, you said it best..This recycle stuff was good in the beginning but now its just ridiculous and the story lines are suffering big time..This story and the one with “Fluke” which probably is going to be the presumed dead Frank Smith or Damian Smith or the insane Grant Putnam or the other character that Geary played that was not Luke, forgot his name.

Its nice to see GH is doing better in the ratings and that the show is still on the air, that said, this show is really getting from average to bad in the last few months..They need to press the reset button and come up with some solids storyline, much like the did last year and the year before when the show was on fire and entertaining.

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August 28, 2014 4:36 pm

Ashleigh

I started watching when Claudia was on. She was AMAZING! I thought GH was on fire then. Now I’m super confused. They seem to be much better at keeping the fans guessing, unlike Y&R. Sigh.

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August 28, 2014 10:25 pm

MBmomof3

Me too. Which is weird because I was a very devoted fan during that timeframe and storyline. My memory isn’t what it used to be I suppose. This could be good.

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August 28, 2014 6:20 pm

jimh(leave it to beaver)

I always thought he was a Peter…lol

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August 28, 2014 9:38 am

aria

sounds plausible, thank goodness hope this puts to rest the sick twisted rumor of levi being frisco son, uhh, just the thought makes me wanna go shower. this makes sense, i remember this storyline although i was a kid, but felicia did have a fiance i remember him being bad. sean and robert even luke were part of this storyline.

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August 28, 2014 9:42 am

Timmm

You bring up a good point as to why Fluke would not be involved with Levi but Luke could be. Luke, Robert, and Sean were apart of this Aztec storyline. Whomever Fluke is PROBABLY would not be connected.

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August 28, 2014 12:06 pm

Christy

I know! I was yelling at the tv yesterday… ‘what about Sean Donnelli?” 😀 But he is just so old and frail from that poisoning that Luke had. We were left not knowing if Sean lived or not.

would be fun to get Tiffany & Sean back on!

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August 28, 2014 3:13 pm

Erick

Sean’s appearance last year left me wondering if John Reilly was in a wheelchair for real, that’s how bad they made Sean look. But I’ve seen pics of him at the Fan Club Weekends the last couple years and he’s looked the same as always, standing tall with that big grin. A fit 77! Get him back! It would be great if he’d return to support Anna briefly. It’s too bad his only interaction was with Luke and Holly. His best stories were his romance with Tiffany (too bad Sharon Wyatt’s unable to act now), solving all the cases and hanging out with Robert and Anna.

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August 28, 2014 10:47 pm

Timmm

Sean and Tiffany would be great. This is problem with GH. Blame who you wish. They bring on legacy characters and give them very little to do OR in Sean’s case, never follow up on his well being. DONT bring people on the show just for us fans to so Ahhhhh!

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August 29, 2014 6:19 am

aria

i keep hearing that tifany and sean’s daughter whose named after anna, but goes by annie is suppose to be on the show, and that she takes after anna more then robin does.

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August 29, 2014 7:17 am

CeeCee

So, Timmm, are you saying Lulu was kidnapped along with Maxie because Levi and associate(s) hold ancient rancor toward Luke? I am assuming Levi’s actions are being directed by his father, who was presumed dead…what a surprise !!! Lol…..but, is now alive. I am starting to get the picture. Levi also seems to despise Felicia. Did he know her as a very young child or is he being fed venom against Felicia by his father? ….interesting…

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August 29, 2014 8:57 am

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Seriously, Peter or not, its great to see Felicia and Mac given more airtime…maybe he is Peter with or without ties to Fluke…if Fluke was Peter Sr., why wouldnt he hit on Felicia or kidnapped her…maybe Levi and Peter are just aliases…maybe Levi is really Mr. Marbles bent on revenge against Mac for not defending him against Epihany…lol

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August 28, 2014 9:45 am

Christy

I thought about that too… that Peter Harrell might be another alias, plucked out of the old newspaper stories about the treasure and Felicia and Frisco.

so he’s not Evil, ur, Levi, maybe not Peter, perhaps Mr. Marbles, obviously not Casey (the alien), but could also be son of crazy Ryan Collins, yet could still be Sly Ekert working with Fluke… or a Cassadine

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August 28, 2014 3:28 pm

Omar

LOL, that is a good one, Mr. Marbles

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August 28, 2014 4:36 pm

Erick

I’ve always expected Sly to show up. That was always a missed opportunity in my book: cousin of Carly, Lucky, and Lulu, etc.
That’s why I think Fluke is Bill Eckert and he’s out for revenge against Sonny because somehow Sly died, and Bill holds Sonny responsible because the mob (Frank Smith, who both Sonny and Luke worked for) did it. Smith’s goons also “killed” Bill.
There was a scene some months back where Fluke was counting his money in the ELQ offices and said to the air, “I get to make a little money off of this, that’s not wrong, is it?” As if he was talking to someone who was dead, like a kid.

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August 28, 2014 10:51 pm

Brad

I loved the Aztec storyline when it was airing and this is a great twist. Of course, we need JW back as Frisco now. He needs to come to his daughter’s rescue.

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August 28, 2014 10:16 am

Chaz

What’s next? Dredging up some under 5 day player from 1972?

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August 28, 2014 10:20 am

Mark

Again a big who cares. I appreciate the use of history but I always get the felling that writers think the viewers go WOOOOOW when stuff like this is revealed. I mean c’mon soap fans have seen it all.

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August 28, 2014 10:24 am

Engrady Pind

I really don’t care, just get him off the screen.

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August 28, 2014 10:39 am

dmr

As much as I find this storyline to be boring, I do like the history being used. I always loved Frisco and Felicia. When I was little, I thought Kristina Wagner was gorgeous with her long blonde hair. I still think she is gorgeous. I like seeing Mac and Felicia more. I will always miss Frisco. I still remember Frisco singing “All I Need” and “Lady of My Heart” to Felicia on GH in the 80’s. Just iconic.

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August 28, 2014 11:29 am

su0000

yah!
I’m luvin the Dunkleman!!
I hope he stays on!
I like how FV, RC and team use GH history for creating new stories.
It’s fun to use history, it is fun stuff for the fans! (except for the grumpy people)

Perhaps Frisco (Jack Wagner) didn’t want to or couldn’t return, again..
I’m fine with it,, but then again the story has not ended..

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August 28, 2014 12:12 pm

harry

WOOH HOOH!

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August 30, 2014 11:28 pm

dawnhaze

I just hope they bring back Frisco so he can rescue Maxie and Lulu. Whether Dunk stays or not doesn’t bother me one way or the other. Maxie belongs with Spinelli and if he is gone then Nathan is the one. Maybe Frisco is going to show up on the trail of Harrell and finds Maxi has been kidnapped. More air time for Felicia and seeing Frisco is great in my books.

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August 28, 2014 12:37 pm

fanmale

Although the original Aztec treasure storyline in 1984-85 bored and annoyed me to the point that I stopped watching GH back then, I think it’s great that the show’s history is being utilized and that Levi turned out to be Peter Harrell.

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August 28, 2014 3:48 pm

anonymous

I didn’t know he’d be the son of Felicia’s ex, but I was sure he must’ve known who she was and about the Aztec treasure before Maxie met him.

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August 28, 2014 3:52 pm

ces

I can’t stand this creepy actor that plays Dunkleman. His teeth scare me and I hate that stupid hairdo and creepy face!! This storyline is lame — the ONLY thing that could save it for a minute is having Jack Wagner come back then and ONLY then would I care to watch this drivel.

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August 28, 2014 4:50 pm

CeeCee

I agree, ces. I can’t be very charitable when it comes to Levi. And, at the risk of sounding petty, I can’t see the attraction. He has a weird head…long or short, his hair does nothing to boost his looks.
Now, I love men…I even married one, lol. But, OMG, this guy has round eyes…in dire need of some eye makeup. His smile creeps me out…he has a fake tan, and as buff as he is, he’s short for a guy…( maybe because every male in my family is taaall) …with a body that looks like a sack of potatoes. As far as I am concerned, his bad-guy role makes him look even uglier. …by comparison, let’s take another long look at Ryan Paevey…..I’m breathless…lol
I have no clue what is going on. I hope I will soon catch on, however, that doesn’t mean I’m not intrigued. I can’t wait for Heather to make an appearance…I am sure she will shed some light on what’s been going on.

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August 28, 2014 6:51 pm

Ces

Your commentary was hilarious!
Yeahhh, he totally needs mascara or eye liner; something. The hair looks a tad better but still, I don’t see the attraction at all.
If they’re going to do an Aztec storyline then they should at least get Jack Wagner back on the show.

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August 28, 2014 7:39 pm

harry

I love it when someone refers to another person’s hair style as a “hairdo.” It just makes me smile (in a good way).

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August 30, 2014 11:22 pm

Ces

lol!! 😉 He does look a wee bit better with shorter hair but he’s still creepy.

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August 31, 2014 10:39 am

Rodd

I think it’s a great nod to Felicia and Mac’s past with a current twist.
So glad he’s not related to Maxie in amy way.

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August 28, 2014 4:53 pm

Li

Dumb! I’m tired of him and these stupid story lines. Too many characters and very little depth.
I love the Ava stuff, sonny and Carly are hot, maxi with Nathan -bring it on…
But Nina and her revenge is creepy for sure! Where is Robin? That was a fast little glimpse…

Hey, you’re preaching to the choir here, CeeCee….I’ve never been a Sonny fan either! Awhile ago, Harry compared him to the character of Nick Tortelli and now every time “Don Corinthos” goes into maniacal mode, that’s who I see….too funny! But in all honesty, the only time I find MB to be entertaining is when he is intentionally comical, like when he went off his meds last year or was dealing with the ditzy Delia….he really does the lighter stuff very well. Shame it’s but once in a blue moon that the opportunity arises.

Yes, lets have Frisco Jones and Felicia work together and discover that Peter Harrell Jr. is keeping another secret, one that will make Anna go into shock when she discovers, after the aztec jewels come back that Peter Harrell Sr has a man hidden away and it turns out to be none other than Grant Putnam the insane double of Grant Andrews, we all remember what he did to Anna in the cabin in the late 80’s. She loved to see him again and Fluke turns out to be none other than David Gray who Luke thought he killed with that Sword Of Malkuth in 1982. He’s only after Sunny cause he’s Luke’s Friend. We never really did know for sure if David Gray died, the mesmerizing jerk that kidnapped Laura and somehow turned her over to the Cassadies, why we’ll never know wasn’t he obsessed with her, so why did her turn her over to The Cassadines. Bring the Cassadines back as well and when Luke gets out of that crazy house team him back up with Laura. Tracy’ isn’t Luke’s love, we all knew from watching General Hospital from 1979 to 1983 Luke loved no one but Laura and his brief fling with Holly was only to make him forget her. We need to have Luke & Laura back get that story line back, if you’re gonna dig into the 80’s lets get into David Gray and even bring Hutch back, not to mention that left handed boy. Luke would love to run into some of his old buddies again like David Grey, Holly’s father Basil if hes still alive, and of course Scotty Baldwin who is already in PC. Bill Ekert would be good too. Frisco returns and helps everyone get free from Grant Putman but just as old crazy Grant Putnam is revealed we got to see Grant Andrews wouldn’t that be a twist as well… Love these old storylines returning, just get Luke or Fluke involved cause we all know Luke Spencer saved Geeneral Hospital from cancellation in 1979.

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August 31, 2014 6:59 am

Allen Saint James

Its nice to have current storylines based in classic ones. Maxie and lulu are luke and laura and frisco and felecias children. They should be written as the next generation of adventurers battling bad guys!

The newest talk shows in the daytime arena premiered on Monday and their initial ratings were quite strong. First up was the premiere of Grammy-winner, Kelly Clarkson and her new series The Kelly Clarkson Show.

According to Variety: the NBCUniversal new daytime series scored a 1.9 household metered market rating and a 6 share in the 56 metered markets. That is the highest debut for a new syndicated show since 2012.

Elsewhere, Disney’s Tamron Hall posted a 1.4 household rating and a 5 share, and with that Tamron scored the highest other debut other than Clarkson in the past five years.

Nashville was the most successful and predicted market for Clarkson, the show scored a 5.97 household rating on its premiere day which climbed 7% to a 6.41 on Tuesday.

Hall will be promoting her show with a cameo appearance on this Friday’s episode of General Hospital where she appears in scenes with Ingo Rademacher (Jax).

In a tweet Tamron also promised that on Friday’s episode of her talker she will talk about her “longgggggg #GH love and history.”

So, have you checked out the new Kelly Clarkson or Tamron Hall Shows? What do you think of them? Comment below.

General Hospital fans know that Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) has fathered a lot of children in Port Charles and then some, and there is even another Corinthos baby on the way.

Now, available on ABC.com and the ABC app (no sign in required) comes a new collection of past GH episodes entitled, ‘All Sonny’s Children’ featuring life-changing moments in the mobster’s life. The collection is available for viewing today September 9th through December 1st.

Courtesy/ABC

Included in the the 16-episode collection is: Sonny learning the truth about Dante, Michael’s devastating confession, Morgan’s heartbreaking struggles with mental health, Sonny’s unconditional love and support of daughter Kristina, as well as the hesitation and joy that comes with knowing a new baby is on the way.

So, check out the collection and let us know which episodes are your favorites? And, who is your favorite kid of Sonny’s of all-time? Weigh-in below. But first watch the just released promo for the collection.

Sonny Corinthos’ children are the reason he wakes up in the morning. Relive some of their most unforgettable moments in the newest General Hospital Collection: All Sonny’s Children. All 16 episodes are available now – without a login! CLICK TO WATCH: https://t.co/IytVDHu6Oe#GHpic.twitter.com/dtdINhykzc

It was a pretty wonky summer for General Hospital’s Dr. Hamilton Finn (Michael Easton), especially concerning the women in his life. After proposing to Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) she exits to go deal with her twin sister, Alex, thus facilitating Hughes’ summer break from the series.

Meanwhile, another great love of Finn’s life, Hayden (Rebecca Budig) re-emerges on the canvas during Liz (Rebecca Herbst) and Franco’s (Roger Howarth) wedding reception, and is now clearly involved in some story with Jasper Jacks (Ingo Rademacher). But what about the unresolved feelings and story with Hayden and Finn? After all, she left him and Port Charles and had his child (who is apparently alive) but is not letting her ex know that little fact.

Meanwhile as a doctor, Finn has had to deal with numerous medical infectious disease crisis’, with the latest being what happened to Sasha (Sofia Matteson) at the hands of the evil Cassandra Pierce (Jessica Tuck), who Finn would love to put behind bars for all of her nefarious drug-related crimes and for what she previously perpetrated on him.

Michael Fairman TV recently caught up with one of our favorite gents in daytime, Michael Easton, to get his thoughts on the on-screen developments in Port Charles, what he hopes is ahead this fall, a look back at some of his favorite soap roles (from One Life’s John McBain to Port Charles’ Caleb Morley), why One Life to Live was such a gem of a soap and a special time for him and his enduring soap career, and much more. So, here’s what Michael shared in our irreverent entertaining, and candid chat.

Photo: ABC

Hayden has been back. But you and Rebecca Budig have not thus far shared many scenes together. Do you think we will eventually circle back to their story?

MICHAEL: First of all, it is amazing having Rebecca back. I’d like to say that I had forgotten how beautiful and talented she is, but I didn’t. She stays with you, and her performances resonate. So, coming back to work with her is like falling back into it. For selfish reasons, I am somewhat disappointed that I thought when Hayden came back; she would completely turn Finn’s life upside down. So, to be honest with you, I don’t know much more than what you are seeing is going on.

I don’t understand why the show is keeping that apart. That’s what people wanted to see when Hayden came back, because many fans loved them together.

MICHAEL: I’ve taken a hit anytime I’ve run into fans because I think (any fans that follow that couple), when they left, are a little disappointed in what they are seeing in that the girl who left is not the girl who has come back. I think that has been the difficult thing for Finn. It’s almost like she has reverted back to a character she was a few years prior to that. In terms of having his life upturned, it hasn’t been upturned because she has been rather cold to him. So, it probably isn’t the way I would have told the story, but maybe they have some great stuff up their sleeve. I think the stuff that we have had together has shown promise. Hopefully there will be more, because I enjoy working with her so much.

So, there’s a baby. Does Finn ever think the baby Hayden said died, could be alive?

MICHAEL: I don’t think he does. I think he (just from Finn’s nature) would believe that she would never to that to him. I imagine his thought would be, “What did I ever do to you? You would do this to me,” because he was clearly in love with her, and she broke his heart. I don’t think he ever sees that coming. I know it’s hard because the audience all knows that, and it’s hard to play the person who is not in the loop when everybody else knows the truth, but you have to play that. You have to play that you don’t watch the show. I think Finn has to come from that place that she would never do that, and I think that will probably take it to a place (if that is the case) that will just make the fall that much grander, but again it is incredible having Rebecca back.

Photo: ABV

Has Rebecca said anything to you like, “What’s going on? I’m barely talking to you on the show?” (Laughs)

MICHAEL: Yes. I don’t want to speak for her, but I think she probably thought it was going to be more the character that left who was coming back. I think we’ve all been a little surprised, but maybe the writers have some great surprises up their sleeves, and this will play out. It’s just different than I thought it would play out.

Finola Hughes had gone off on her summer vacation for awhile which put a pause in what’s next for the Anna and Finn romance, as well.

MICHAEL: Well, you work with me long enough, and then you need some time off, right? It’s like PTSD, right? You need a three-month treatment plan to make it back. So, I don’t blame her for taking some time off. (Laughs)

Finn proposed to Anna with this impromptu-at-her feet-moment at the Nurses’ Ball. Did you like the proposal?

MICHAEL: The only thing that I would have done differently is that I originally thought she said no, just because I love playing uncomfortable, embarrassing moments. I would have had a lot of fun with that because being embarrassed in front of groups of people is something that I would like to play. I do that quite often in my own life. (Laughs) I didn’t watch it back, but in the moment, it felt really nice. She’s lovely. Who wouldn’t propose to her? So, there wasn’t a great deal of difficulty in doing that.

Photo: ABC

Do you sense the on-screen magic between Finn and Anna?

MICHAEL: I hope we both bring each other out of our comfort zones a little bit. I think Finola embraces that, and I embrace that. I think we both sort of pull each other a little bit. When the writers write it that way, especially early on, there was a lot of great dialogue and banter, it was like a very adult-type of movie for a while, and I really enjoy that. It is like Sullivan’s Travels or something like that. That’s a really dated reference. Who else do you know that is going to pull out a reference to Preston Sturges movies? (Laughs) How about Moonlighting? Even that might be dated now, but it’s closer. (Laughs) I think that’s it. She’ll go with it. Sometimes just in the flow of it, stuff comes out, and nothing goes by Finola. There is no ad-lib or gesture that you can make where she won’t go with you on it. She’s such a pro, and she is so good at that.

Do you think Finn will finally help apprehend Cassandra? How is it when you get to work with Jessica Tuck?

MICHAEL: Yeah. I would imagine. I love Jessica. I think she is fantastic, and I always like when the “bad guy” doesn’t know they’re the bad guy. I know when I played Caleb on Port Charles; one of the things I liked about him was that he never thought he was the bad guy. I think that is always the right way to play a bad guy, and Jessica certainly doesn’t play it that way. She plays it like she is just really devious. She is lovely. I sort of look at it like a team, and anytime you lose good players, your team is not as good. So, anytime someone says something about someone coming back who is a really good actor, it’s great when they come back.

Photo: JPI

How does Finn feel now about his brother, Chase (Josh Swickard)? He just can’t seem to get himself to show his affection towards his younger brother.

MICHAEL: He does love him, and that’s right. That’s the conflict, but it’s hard to be mad at Josh because he is the sweetest kid. He looks at you with those big brown eyes, and you go, “Why am I being such a jerk to this guy? He’s just too nice, but it’s good. I think we’ve slowly developed a rapport, and it’s just one of those things that I think every so often, daytime gets right where you can almost tell something in real time. It wasn’t rushed. It’s taken a year, and they are sort of coming around to one another, but there are still a lot of secrets. That’s coming up.

Photo: ABC

Where would you rate Finn in the scope of your characters? I mean, for me, McBain will always be #1.

MICHAEL: Is McBain 1? (Laughs) You and Steve Burton (Jason, GH). I’ve never sat and ranked them. Obviously, I played McBain the longest, and it was probably the character who was the most like me I did ride-alongs with cops in New York City for like a month. So, I was able to ground him in some reality for myself, and I was able to stick to that. We had a great adviser on the show for over a year who was a former New York City detective, gold shield guy. Someone once asked why the police department was so good at One Life, and that was it. They really embraced it. We didn’t have people sneaking out of the jail-cell with a bobby pin picking the lock. (Laughs)

It was a bit grittier on One Life.

MICHAEL: I enjoyed that. McBain not saying “I love you” for 10 years, being on daytime and being able to do that – now that is quite the accomplishment!

Photo: JPI

I remember when McBain FINALLY told Natalie (Melissa Archer) “I love you.” I lost it, but then again, I am sucker for soapy goodness like that. It was a big moment.

MICHAEL: It was. Then, he had to kind of retract it and said, “I was drugged.”

Yeah right, he had that “What did I do?” moment.

MICHAEL: “What did I do?” That’s right. So, that was a challenge, and that was really interesting. Port Charles’ Caleb was probably the most fun to play because that was just an incredible amount of freedom. There was no grounding it in anything. It was the biggest sandbox I’d ever played in. If you wanted to walk over to the couch, you walked over to the couch. You did whatever you wanted to, and obviously, getting to work with the lovely Kelly Monaco (Ex-Livvie, Port Charles, now Sam, GH) every day… it was just nice. Caleb only had one intention. He was in love with this girl, and he just wanted to be with her, and anytime you get one specific need as an actor, it makes it so easy. You’ll stop at nothing to be with this girl, and that’s so fun to play.

Photo: ABC

Right, and Kelly Monaco and you have amazing chemistry when you have been paired romantically together in story.

MICHAEL: Yeah, I think those things exist in a special place, and they probably belong in that special place. Although, I thought it was an interesting dynamic for a period of time, it would have been interesting to see where that would have gone on GH with McBain, and Jason, and Sam, because there was something there that they could have built on very slowly. I don’t know what would have happened, but I think that dynamic was the only dynamic that could have worked for a period of time. I don’t think Fin would work, but that one dynamic would have been interesting when you have the cop, the outlaw, and the girl who comes between them.

Photo: ABC

One Life to Live recently would have celebrated its 51st anniversary if it was still on the air. Back in July, I posted these photos of major characters through the years. I received so many “likes” and so many comments on social media such as, “I miss it so much. Bring it back!” What can you say about those enduring One Life fans and being part of that one-of-a-kind show?

MICHAEL: They’re the most beautiful fans. All of the daytime fans are beautiful, but I think it was a really nice connection with the One Life to Live fans, and we got to know so many of them working in New York on the streets, you came out of the studio, and people were right there. So, you really got to know them. You got to engage with people. I love that show, and I miss it. Otherwise, I still stay in touch with a lot of them. I think that speaks to it. I have lifelong friends who I met on that show, which never happens. Usually, you walk out of a show on your last day, and you’ll never see anybody again. You’ll all say, “Yeah, let’s exchange numbers.” I walk out of there and I go, “Thank you, and I’ll never see you again.” I don’t even lie to people. Like, I know I’ll never see you again, and I never have except for that show, and I am still in touch with so many of those people. So, I think that spoke to how close we were.

Photo: JPI

Were you and Roger Howarth (Franco/Drew) always close on One Life, or are you closer now because you do all of the personal appearance events you do together?

MICHAEL: Well, Roger and I have known each other; it must be going on… 25-30 years now. So, it was pre-One Life. I think at some point we both had long hair, and both had done daytime, so we were pretty interchangeable. I think one time they called him about a part I did, and one time, they called me about a part when he left. I actually know Roger because I did a series called 413 Hope St., and Jesse Martin was the lead in it. It was a Damon Wayans series for Fox. So, I had known of Roger, but I really got to know him at a New Year’s Eve party in like 1995/96. Obviously, I’ve become really close to him now because we never did appearances or that sort of thing, but I think we have both sort of gotten over ourselves a little bit now. (Laughs)

Because you weren’t very visible before. That goes for both of you!

MICHAEL: No, and that’s by default. I don’t think we ever discussed it.

Photo: ABC

It wasn’t a conscious decision?

MICHAEL: No, I just thought (especially when I came back to daytime to do Caleb) it was just more interesting if people didn’t know a lot about me because the character was that. So, it took me a while to ease into it, and also, I just had to get over myself. I had a fear of engaging with large groups of people for a while. In a strange way, Roger and I have kind of gravitated to each other. I think we are both similar types. Between the two of us, we make up one real man, you know? Each of us is like half a man. (Laughs)

Together you can conquer.

MICHAEL: We are a good crutch for each other! He picks up my half, I pick up his. That’s the solution.

So what do you think GH viewers can look forward to coming up with Finn?

MICHAEL: I’m assuming at some point he is going to get his world turned upside down when he finds out about Hayden and the baby, and how he is going to react to that will probably be interesting. I hope that’s going to happen.

Photo: ABC

If he became an addict again, how would you feel about that?

MICHAEL: I think him struggling and getting over that would be interesting. I would hope that wouldn’t be his reaction, but I guess that always hangs over your head. Certainly, him falling apart would be interesting. I think your faith in the universe would be crushed in that moment. I don’t know how he would react. I’m just really curious to see how that would shake out and to play that. I think it would be a challenge. I think you’re always looking for some way to turn everything … and I invite that. I always think that sometimes in daytime we play the gimmick, but you should always play to the heart of the story. What’s going to make you feel something? If you feel something as the character, as the actor, I think the audience will feel something with you. I think it is maybe one of the things that we have gotten away from a little bit is that emotional attachment. When I watch shows that really move me, it’s still that emotional attachment between two people, and at the end of the day it should still be a love story … no matter what it is. I think that is the heart of what we should be doing. I think every poem should be a love poem of some sort. I know they have to weave the other stuff, the science fiction, and the memories, and the missing babies, and the twins, but at the heart of it, it should really be about two people finding themselves in love.

MICHAEL: Trevor St. John (Ex-Todd/Victor Lord Jr. OLTL) and I are always talking about doing a short film. Every time we drink too much beer, next thing you know, we are going to be doing a movie. We have many beers, and then we shoot a film. Then, we call our friends like Kamar de los Reyes (Ex-Antonio, OLTL), and Sherri Saum (Ex-Keri, OLTL), and Dan Gauthier (Ex-Kevin OLTL), and we go, “Now you guys, drink many beers, and you will join us on this film.”

See, now I get how movies are made!

So, are you hoping that GH tells more of the story between Finn and Hayden? Are you hoping that Anna and Finn make it to their “I do’s? What would you like to see happen to Finn? And finally, of all Michael’s soap roles which has been your favorite? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.